The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-29
The Story of Tom, Joe and Jake.
From the .Salt Lake Tribune.


Tom Collette, with two friends whom I
shall christen Joe and Jake, was making a
slow and painful journey from Pine Grove,
Esmeralda county, to Eastern Nevada
They camped one afternoon near some hot
springs not far from Walker Lake. Dis
covering large hole or pool that was full
OF cold water and convenient to one of the
hottest OF the hot springs, they turned the
hot water as it flowed out of the spring into
the pool, until the hot and cold water blend
ing made exactly the right temperature for
a bath. This done, they plunged in and en-
Joyed the delicious water as only those can
VINO have Travelled some days over dusty al
Kali trails in hot weather. When supper was
over and they had lighted their pipes, the
theme OF conversation for long time, as
they smoked, was the delicious bath they had
taken and the wonderful sense of refresh
ment it had brought them. Full of the JOY
OF 1t, they spread their blanket on a grassy
spot beneath some willows few wards dis
tant from the spring, and fell asleep.
Tom was up with the dawn. Recollec-
lions of his fine bath of the previous even
ing were still fresh in his mind So, bound
ing up from his blankets with skip and a
Jump he plunged into the pool to his middle.
With groan of agony he sprang out again
with the agility of wild cat The hot
water had been running all night. Hours
rendered almost as hot as that of the hot
spring itself. Brief as had been the period
between the entry and his exit, Toms fair
skin was changed to the color of a boiled
lobster. He was soon in a terrible state, as
the skin was almost sufficiently cooked TO
peel off. AS he asserts, he twas as tender
as young pullet that had been cooked two
hours" With infinite care he drew on his
pantaloons and boots, though he felt as
though the cooked flesh were peeling off in
strips wherever his clothing touched him.
Forcing back the tears of anguish that
were yelling out of eyes Tom crept back to
camp. Though it was most difficult thing
to do, he put on his old-time frank smile
as he neared the sleeping place at the will
lows, for Jake had awakened and was sit
ting on his blankets, gaping and stretch
ing.
Seeing Tom approach, Jake asked where
he had been-if he had been out looking
after their ponies. Tom replied that he had
so enjoyed his bath of the evening before, and
been SO much benefited by it, that he could
not think Of breaking up camp without re-
peating it.
Jake" said he, cts just lovely!"
Jake did not wait to near more. Bounc-
ing up from his blankets he rushed away to-
wards the pool. As swiftly as he could
move, considering the tender condition OF
his skin, Tom followed, and lodging behind
a convenient clump of willows, kept covert
watch. Jake threw off the few duds in
which he had slept, bounced into the pool,
uttered yell of mingled anguish and rage,
then clawed his way out upon the green turf
with the celebrity of an adder. As soon as he
stood erect he began making swift applica-
tions of his open hands to various parts of
his body to arrest the pain, each particular
square inch of his hide seeming to hurt
worse than the other All this time he was
swearing blue streak. Louder and louder
rose his voice, as light began to break upon
his mind, when Tom stepped out from his
hiding place crying:
Hush up! Would you bawl like bull
calf and give us away, when that that other
son of gun up in camp is not yet cooked?
You and | have had our dose. Man, we
must cook him or we shall never hear the
last of it3n
Soothed by this, Jake carefully drew on
his trousers and shirt and the pair leisurely
proceeded to camp.
By this time Joe had commenced to rouse
up Seeing Tom and Jake approaching he
asked if they had found the stock-the
poniesg
Ponies, no." said Tom, 1--WE haven't been
looking for the ponies We have been TAX
stood holding his pantaloons away from the
rear of his person, do you think we'd break
camp without one more magnificent swim!
Not much.n
At this Joe sprang up, crying:
mot much, you betl" and dashed away
toward the little pond. As Joe disappeared
behind the willows Tom sprang for his pistol
and took off all the caps. He and Jake then
secured their own revolvers Tom crying:
Get your pistol Jake-quickl Thererl
be business when Joe comes backm
In about two minutes Joe did come back.
He was bowling and cursing furiously, and,
all naked as he was never stopped run
ming until he had got his six-shooter in his
hand.
Drop it," said Tom, 81 have a dead bead
on you, and so has Jake. Besides, took all
the caps off your gum
The difficulty was amicably settled as soon
as Jake and Tom had related their expert
ence. The trio took their breakfast stand
ing that morning, and-to spare the ponies
they did not ride much for the succeeding
three days.